Lexington officials are recognizing new federal housing assistance as a significant step to end homelessness. It comes in the form of emergency housing vouchers.
Lexington is receiving 76 new housing vouchers. Housing Authority Director Austin Simms said they carry a value of $600,000 and can be used over ten years. Office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention Director Polly Ruddick noted 76 households, not individuals, can benefit from this program. “I never thought I’d see the day where I can stand in front of you and say I can house every single child that we have in our homeless system right now and today I can do that. That’s a pretty awesome feeling,” said Ruddick.
Simms said about 700 landlords currently participate. Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton was asked why she’s put emphasis on homelessness. She pointed to her years as a nurse. “I would challenge you to find a nurse who doesn’t believe that when people need help…they need help. And, a lot of times people cannot do this on their own,” explained Gorton.
Austin Simms, who’s spent 47 years with the Lexington Housing Authority, said social service support is a part of the voucher effort. “We would hope that with the social services component that they would work with families to see the other side of the track, if you will. See where the grass is a little bit greener,” said Simms.
With the help of these assistance programs, both Ruddick and Simms said there are success stories where families have moved out of vouchers earlier than the allowed-for time period.
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